Lost 4 hens - 3 in the last month - not sure why

[gitanesteel]

We've got 15 (now) Rhode Island Reds - 9 that are almost 2 yrs old and 6 that are just over about 14 months. In the past month we've lost 3 of the younger hens. When we go out into the coop in the afternoon they're laying partially on their side and hardly able to move or stand up. Looking for ideas on what this can be and why it might be affecting only the younger hens. I had one that this happened to back in February or March also. All have had a little pasty feces on them but nothing that seems out of the ordinary. No visible signs of injury either.

 

[HEChicken]

Without more information and knowing what the past month has been like weather-wise, my first suggestion would be heat stroke. Just like people, some birds feel the heat more than others. The first thing I'd do is thoroughly read some of the many threads regarding keeping birds cool that have been started this summer, and see what you can implement to try to keep the rest a little cooler. Good luck!

 

[gitanesteel]

We've only had a couple of days in the 90 degree range with no humidity. None of the chickens have died at those temps. Yesterday was high 70's to low 80's. Two water containers - one outside and one in the coop. There are three aspen trees in the pen that produce quite a bit of shade and the large door and window are open all day in the coop for air flow. The first one died in February/March - same symptoms and the temps at that time were in the 40's.

I wish I could provide more - looking at the hens they appear perfectly fine. Through the course of the day they become lethargic and unable or unwilling to move and just lay there. Three were found in the coop and one outside.

 

[pips&peeps]

Ellensburg just now is getting warm, like us near Spokane. It's been a weird year, milder temps and more rain than normal.

I would first treat for cocci. It won't hurt the birds to treat them with Corid, which you can get at the feed store in the cattle section. If this doesn't help, I would suggest sending the next one in to Puyallup for a necropsy if you lose another.